"W.W.J.D."
Youve all seen the bracelets and T-shirts that remind teens and adults alike of a
good rule of thumb for living a holy life. Many, however, ask themselves the same
questions.

Does Journey know about my battles with the enemy of my soul? Do they understand the
fierce temptations that challenge me? And what of the bitter stuff of life? Do they have
any clue what I am going through: the sorrow, the sadness, the depression that
overflow my cup? And what about my broken heart? Ive been betrayed by a friend, a
lover, someone very dear  does Journey understand?

I am here today to tell you that Journey does understand. Because, my friend,
Journey has been there before.

Situation One: Gregg and Heather have a picture-perfect marriage. The two are young
and wildly successful  Heather is a bank credit analyst, Gregg a top loafer salesman
at a department store. But Heathers job requires her to work long hours, and Gregg
often feels neglected. If she really loves me, he wonders, why is she away from home so
much?

Its the quintessential modern struggle: a two-income family, overworked, always
pressed for time. You may wonder how Journey, who walked the Earth so long ago, could
relate to a problem like this. But did you know that Journey faced precisely this samedilemma
 nearly 20 years ago?

In Frontiers 3, 2:14, they tell the story of a musician, always on the road, and the
woman hes left behind: "They say that the road aint no place to start a
family. But right down the line, its been you and me. And lovin a music man
aint always what its supposed to be. Oh girl  you stand by me. Im
forever yours  faithfully."

"Faithfully." Its clear that Journey intends a double meaning to this
term: faithfulness to the absent spouse, yes, but also faith in Journey  and their
power to heal broken relationships.

Devotional meditation: How secure is my faith in Journey? When is it
strong? When does it falter?

Situation Two: Alice loves her boyfriend Sam deeply. Theyve shared long
conversations, walks on the beach, romantic dinners by candlelight. But now Sam is
pressuring her to have sexual relations with him and Alice doesnt know what to do.
She doesnt feel comfortable having sex before marriage, and someone has told her
that Journey thinks its wrong.

At many points in the Albums, Journey speaks out strenuously on this subject. And their
message is always the same: "Any way you want it  thats the way you need
it." False prophets who tell you otherwise are leading you astray. Do not pay them
heed.

The most striking passage on the topic comes from Departure 7, 1:43: "I was
alone  I never knew  what good love could do. Then we touched, and we sang,
about the lovin things! All night, all night  oh, every night!"

Devotional meditation: Do I love to move? Do I love to groove? Do I
love the lovin things?

Situation Three: Martin has reached the end of his rope. His happy marriage, his
beautiful family, his thriving bakery  none of it means anything to him. At night he
finds himself awake, alone, wondering: if all life ends in death, then whats the
point of going on with it?

Journey was no stranger to existential hunger. They mused bitterly about "circus
life, under the big top world  we all need the clowns to make us laugh."

Escape 2, 3:23, perhaps, captures this hunger best of all. "Workin hard to
get my fill  everybody wants a thrill. Payin anything to roll the dice, just
one more time. Some will win, some will lose  some were born to sing the blues. Oh,
the movie never ends: it goes on, and on, and on, and on."

In the face of such sorrow and hopelessness, does Journey go on to say that we should
give up the fight?

NO!

Instead, we are told not to stop believing. To hold on to that feeling.

May the streetlight person in each of us have the courage to listen.

Devotional meditation: Have I ever stopped believing  in life, in
love, in Journey? When weighed down by the cares of the world, have I let go of
that feeling? Have I taken a midnight train going anywhere?